I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 282

< Happiness Evangelist (6) >

Kim Hak-seo first heard the name Kirian when he learned that the Qing Dynasty had been defeated by some strange Western country.

To be honest, he didn’t think much of it at first.

It was surprising that the Qing Dynasty had lost, but he thought it was a story that had nothing to do with him.

He began to suspect something was wrong when rumors started circulating that a key figure in Yeonggilli [England] was from Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom].

Yeonggilli, Joseon, aristocrat.

And an absurdly young age.

Considering all these factors, the answer was ultimately one, so how could his heart not flutter?

Moreover, when the court, knowing that Kirian had Joseon-related origins, tried to secure Joseon’s safety through Kirian, everything went awry.

In fact, the court’s policy of siding with Yeonggilli was an inevitable fate.

If those barbarians who had easily crushed Qing turned their guns towards Joseon, how could Joseon possibly handle it?

The problem was that if that happened, Kim Hak-seo, who had used Kirian as a slave, could be singled out as the culprit.

There were even ominous rumors circulating that there was a Joseon person who had tormented Kirian when he was in Joseon, making it impossible for him to sleep at night.

He had barely managed to get back on the path to success, and it didn’t make sense to be knocked down by something like this.

So, he gathered all the slaves at the time and thoroughly silenced them.

The slave Yoo Seok had died of a strange disease, and he had thoroughly cleaned up any traces so that they could not be found.

In fact, Kim Jwa-geun and Lee Ha-eung, who were suspicious, had come, but both of them returned without finding any evidence, and Kim Hak-seo was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

He was sure of it, but…

Somehow, Kirian continued to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming not just a nobleman of Yeonggilli, but even a royal consort.

To top it off, the court even started spouting nonsense that made him doubt his ears, claiming that Kirian was a member of the Joseon royal family.

A member of the royal family? Then was he saying that he had a member of this country’s royal family as a slave?

No, they said that a family was involved in some kind of treason and the family tree was twisted or something, but even so, this was too much.

Kim Hak-seo saw hope that Kirian might not be Yoo Seok.

Would the court be crazy enough to fabricate even the family tree? There’s no way.

From the beginning, it was a bit strange that he was fluent not only in Joseon’s language, but also in Qing and Wa’s languages.

Yoo Seok was sometimes so sharp that it gave him goosebumps, and he was an unpleasant child, but still, how could he have learned languages on his own?

Even Kim Hak-seo’s house didn’t have any books to learn the languages of Qing or Wa [ancient names for China and Japan, respectively].

No matter how bright Yoo Seok was, could a mere ten-year-old child have learned the languages of Qing and Wa on his own?

He was a slave, not even a commoner.

And one more thing.

Even if Yeonggilli was a Western barbarian, it was still a country that knew some etiquette and manners, so would the queen of such a country marry a slave of mixed blood as her husband?

No matter how he looked at it, it was an unrealistic story.

‘Right. There’s no guarantee that there isn’t another guy like Yoo Seok out there, is there?’

It would be different if there wasn’t even one Yoo Seok in all of Joseon, but there was already one case of Yoo Seok, so there could easily be a second case.

Kim Hak-seo decided to think of Kirian and Yoo Seok as separate people.

They had many things in common, but it wasn’t like there were no differences.

Once he put his mind at ease, he continued to rise through the ranks in the court, becoming a Vice Minister, Minister, and eventually reaching the position of Second State Councilor.

There was a lot of talk about the King abdicating, but he didn’t pay much attention to it.

Since he had already risen to the position of Second State Councilor, he would retire and go back to his hometown in a few years anyway, so what did it matter if the king changed?

Unlike others, he wasn’t very interested in the power of his family, so he didn’t really care who became the next king.

But he never dreamed that an order would be issued for him to go directly to the welcoming ceremony and greet Kirian.

Even if he was a member of this country’s royal family and a royal consort of another country, was it right for him, a State Councilor, to go out and greet him in person? He didn’t even understand why the Chief State Councilor was going with him.

Treating him like a Qing Dynasty prince, so in that sense, it wasn’t unreasonable, but the problem was, what if Kirian was really Yoo Seok?

No. But if Kirian wasn’t really Yoo Seok, there would be no harm in trying to get on his good side.

It was a well-known fact that Kim Jwa-geun, who was the most powerful figure in the court, was groveling to Kirian and desperately trying to get on his good side.

Even if he retired, his son or grandson would have to live off the court’s salary in the future, so it wouldn’t be bad to become acquainted with a powerful figure who would have an absolute influence on Joseon.

Please, let Kirian be a different person from Yoo Seok.

That’s how he prayed to his ancestors and the heavens and went out on the fateful day.

Kim Hak-seo saw Kirian for the first time as he stepped off the magnificent ship to the cheers of everyone.

He thought he would know right away whether that person was the old Yoo Seok or not, but was it because of the 20 years that had passed? It was hard to tell.

‘Damn it. Why do all Westerners look like they’re from the same mold?’

At first, he felt a very familiar feeling, and his heart sank.

What should he do? It seems like it’s really Yoo Seok. How could something like this happen…

But then, what was this? When he saw the other people getting off next to him, he suddenly became confused again.

Somehow, they all looked the same, but then again, they didn’t. And in the first place, wouldn’t it be normal for a person’s face to change after 20 years?

He was too nervous right now, so he might be overlapping Kirian and Yoo Seok for no reason.

But still, if Kirian was Yoo Seok…

Just as all sorts of thoughts were swirling in his head.

Kirian spoke in a very friendly voice.

“Nice to meet you. You’re the Second State Councilor of Joseon?”

“Yes? Ah, yes… yes. I’m Kim Hak-seo, the Second State Councilor.”

He was going crazy. He thought it would be better if he heard his voice, but even after hearing it directly, he couldn’t tell the difference.

Well, he left before his voice even broke, and that was 20 years ago, so how could he tell the difference by his voice?

He glanced up and saw that he still had a bright smile on his face, as if he was happy to see him.

‘Come to think of it, that Yoo Seok was also hard to read, unlike a child…’

Once he started to suspect, everything looked similar, and on the other hand, he wondered if he was giving it too much meaning.

“Second State Councilor, do you have any sons or daughters?”

“Yes, yes? I do have both, but…”

They were a bit late in life, but if Kirian was really Yoo Seok, there’s no way he wouldn’t know that.

He wondered if his children had ever bullied Yoo Seok, but in the first place, they were not even 5 years old at the time.

So, they wouldn’t have had much contact… Could it be that he was trying to take revenge by retaliating against his children?

For a moment, all sorts of thoughts ran through his head, but unlike Kim Hak-seo, who was burning with anxiety, Kirian leisurely walked towards the palanquin [covered litter or sedan chair] that had been prepared in advance.

“Recently, I’ve become very interested in education as my children have grown up. Joseon has a strong passion for education, doesn’t it? It’s sudden, but I’m curious to know how the Joseon ministers educate their children.”

“Ah… ah! I see. Haha! That’s understandable. There’s no noble family in Joseon that doesn’t put effort into their children’s education.”

What is it? Was he just curious about that, so he brought up the story of his children?

His lifespan was shortening in real time, and he felt like he was really going crazy.

He just wanted to go back to the palace quickly. Someone, please save him!

“But Second State Councilor, you don’t look well. Are you not feeling well? Now that I see it, you seem to be sweating a little.”

“Ah, no. I didn’t sleep well last night… haha, hahaha.”

Was this bastard doing this on purpose, knowing, or was he really doing it without knowing?

If he was Yoo Seok, he should just say he was, but he was just giving him hints that he knew and didn’t know, so his heart couldn’t take it.

“In that case, I’ll have to tell His Majesty as soon as we arrive at the palace. It seems that Second State Councilor is old and his energy is weak, so I’ll ask him to pay ‘special’ attention to him.”

Somehow, the word ‘special’ seemed to be emphasized. Was that just his imagination?

“I don’t know what to do with His Majesty’s consideration. Hahaha…”

Please, just let me breathe.

After that, Kim Hak-seo was able to truly understand the meaning of the words ‘his lifespan was being shortened’ as he answered Kirian, who continued to talk to him.

* * *

Ah, this is fun, this is fun.

After getting off the ship, I had a pleasant conversation with the old man Kim Hak-seo all the way back to the palace, and I think I did a good job of coming to Joseon.

To be honest, I’ve thought about what to do when I meet the old man.

Should I just reveal it from the beginning, or should I pretend not to know?

I’ve thought about both, but it’s not fun to end it so quickly, is it?

This is a reunion after 20 years, so how boring would it be if the happy reunion ended in just a few seconds?

So, I think it’s better to enjoy the lingering feelings a little longer and more intensely.

To be honest, I don’t have any deep-seated resentment.

When I think about being a slave when I was young, I naturally grind my teeth, but I came to the British Empire and things turned out too well as a result.

However, that doesn’t mean that the memories of being oppressed and ignored when I was young have completely disappeared.

Why, isn’t there a saying that the trauma of being bullied or ostracized when you were young lasts a lifetime?

Coming here and seeing Kim Hak-seo’s face in person, I could understand why those words came out.

I thought I had completely forgotten about it when I was in London, but when I faced him directly, I felt like it was happening again yesterday.

I was a slave, despised, and sometimes beaten. The memories came back to me, and I couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“By the way, Second State Councilor, how much do you know about the British Empire?”

“I’m ashamed to say that I don’t have a deep understanding. But I think I know as much as others.”

“Is that so? I thought you would be especially interested.”

“Yes. Yes? Uh, uh, why… why did you think so…”

Judging from his reaction, it seems that he’s not sure who I am yet.

I can definitely feel the anxiety that he might be wrong and the hope that he’s not.

He wants me to give him confidence, but why would I do that?

He needs to worry a little more and burn a little more to clear his karma, right?

“I know that the Second State Councilor oversees the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Taxation, and the Ministry of Rites. Since the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites are both related to our country, I thought you would naturally be interested, but am I wrong?”

“Huh, hahaha… No. Of course. Of course, I’m studying hard. So that’s what it was.”

He’s sweating like a waterfall.

At this rate, I think he’ll come to me and kneel down and beg for forgiveness sometime today or tomorrow.

If he bows his head that much and begs for forgiveness, there’s nothing I can’t forgive, but I wonder if our old man’s pride will allow it.

How would he feel if he had to kneel down and grovel to someone who might have been a slave in his house in the past?

I have to ask him that later.

“By the way, what’s the reaction to His Majesty’s decision this time? I don’t think the Confucian scholars in the provinces will be very friendly.”

“Ah, yes. Of course, there are those who don’t know the reality and spout strange nonsense. But those people’s words are not even worth listening to, so His Majesty doesn’t have to worry about such trivial matters.”

“Is that so? But if there are those who are willing to resort to force, what should we do?”

“If that happens, I, Kim Hak-seo, will take responsibility and imprison them all!”

He’s trying so hard to please me that I can’t help but laugh.

Okay, okay. That attitude is not bad.

Of course, Kim Hak-seo thinks that there are no crazy Confucian scholars who would really stand up like that.

From what I’ve heard, he’s already ordered some Confucian scholars to be exiled, so he must think that no one will come out here and beg to be killed.

But isn’t that underestimating the power of the Confucian old men of this era too much?

Even now, long after the Ming Dynasty has fallen, there are still many people in Joseon who claim to be pro-Ming and even hold ancestral rites for the Ming Emperor.

Would those people want to treat me properly, even if I’m a member of the royal family, since half of my blood is Western?

Moreover, there are rumors that I might be involved in establishing the next crown prince, so would they put up with that?

If the Confucian scholars of Joseon were so enlightened, I wouldn’t have spent months just organizing the escort troops.

And sure enough.

Just as we were almost at the palace, I saw Confucian scholars kneeling in the middle of the road where our procession was passing, with axes and coffins in front of them.

“Second State Councilor, who are those people in front of the road? Is this Joseon’s own surprise event to welcome my arrival?”

“Yes? No, wait…”

Since they have already officially stated that they will treat me as equal to the King of Joseon, what they are doing now is the same as high treason for blocking the King’s procession.

It’s not just one or two of them, but dozens of them lined up as if they had conspired together.

It was only natural that the Chief State Councilor and the Second State Councilor, who were in charge of the welcoming ceremony, turned pale.

In particular, Kim Hak-seo, who had been boasting that he would take responsibility and root out those who opposed him, was trembling with his fists clenched and was about to call the soldiers.

But faster than that.

One of the Confucian scholars blocking the road in front opened his mouth in a loud voice.

“I am Choi Ik-hyeon, a disciple of Lee Gwang-ro! On behalf of my teacher, I risk my life to plead here! Patriotism and defending orthodoxy are the foundation of Confucianism, so I beg the scholars who are in charge of state affairs not to abandon the tradition and foundation of Joseon, even now!”

“Please don’t abandon it!”

I glanced back at Kim Hak-seo and smiled at their resounding cries.

“They say that, so what should we do?”

“Those, those, those bastards who deserve to be torn to pieces! How dare they be here!”

Oh, my ears hurt. He’s an old man, but his voice is so loud.

Our old man, who must be feeling that his life is hanging by a thread, is so flustered that his chin is shaking.

So, you know what you have to do now, right?

Our old man, who has to get on my good side no matter what, and the Confucian Taliban, who hate me to death.

Now, kill each other.